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Confusion over NPF disbandment

news263

Sep 21, 15:24 pm

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Rueben Mharapira

Some leaders of the National Patriotic Front (NPF) have dismissed an announcement by the party's former leader Rtd Brigadier General Ambrose Mutinhiri insinuating that the political outfit had disbanded.

In a statement that was released today, NPF’s spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire said that the political outfit had not disbanded.

“The National Patriotic Front (NPF) wishes to dispel rumours spread by Rtd Brigadier General Ambrose Mutinhiri that the party has been disbanded. Mr Mutinhiri is neither the President nor the Spokesperson of the party and therefore has no powers nor jurisdiction to convene meetings, pass resolutions or speak on behalf of the party,” said Mawarire.

Mawarire went on to state that the NPF’s National Founding Executive Committee had met on 7 June 2018 and resolved to recall Rtd Brigadier General Mutinhiri from his position as interim president of the NPF.

“Today, we are not surprised that he (Mutinhiri), after meeting Zanu-PF president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, he purports to be disbanding a party that had already recalled him.”

Mawarire’s announcement comes after Rtd Brigadier General Mutinhiri was quoted in state media saying that they (NPF) had re-considered their position and decided to rejoin the ruling party in its drive to rebuild Zimbabwe.

“We the founders, leaders and supporters of the NPF hereby inform the nation of Zimbabwe that the NPF has disbanded with immediate effect from September 19, 2018,” Rtd Brigadier-General Mutinhiri said in a statement on Wednesday.“The main reason for disbanding the party is that NPF has outlived its purpose. NPF was formed as a response to the events and circumstances of November 2017 that led to the removal of the previous Government of Zimbabwe and in our opinion we perceived it to be a threat to national security and stability.”

Rtd Brigadier General Mutinhiri went on to point out that, “However, after careful considerations and deliberations our party came to the conclusion that the November 2017 events were in the best interest of Zimbabwe as a nation. To that end, the existence of the NPF is no longer necessary."

“As such we deem it expedient and appropriate to disband NPF and also to join and support the Zanu-PF party and Government in its endeavour to build a better Zimbabwe for all unity and loving and progressive Zimbabwe.”